Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow is a single action only trigger as you need to cock the bow in order for the trigger to be engaged. The trigger mechanism basically just pushes the bow string up and over the lip of the rail releasing the bow, so there is a bit of friction and I would guess it is about 8-10 pounds maybe a bit less. There is a metal bolt style safety just above where the trigger releases that is ambidextrous, push it forward for safe and back for fire.
Accuracy: I have not recorded my Field Test Shooting Video for the Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow and so I am not sure what to expect so far. I have shot a similar bow, the Bear X Desire XL Crossbow so it should perform a lot like that one but without the auto loading bolt system. If you want, you can check that Field Test Shooting Video out, I expect the Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow to have a bit more power over the Bear X Desire XL as it is rated to have a 75 pound draw as compared to the 60 pounds of the Bear X Desire XL. In terms of accuracy I do not expect anything similar to a pellet or even BB rifles or pistol but I hope to get somewhere near a 6-8 inch grouping with the 10 bolts.
Build Quality: The Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow is well made but does consist of mostly plastic or polymer, that said it feels sturdy enough when holding it and is one of the heavier compact recurve Crossbow systems at 4 pounds. The bow itself is fiberglass and the only real metal I can confirm is the cocking rail, mostly everything else other than the nuts, bolts, safety and sling ring are some sort of plastic. Fit and finish is good. I am hoping the auto bolt loading system will perform well and be consistent but we will find out when I make my Field Test Shooting Video for it
Realism: The Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow is not a Replica pistol or rifle, it is a target bow that one could perhaps use of small game if you become proficient with it. I do think there is a crossover product in terms of interest with people that are also interested in Airguns. The other benefit is that it has a lot more power than a non regulated Airgun as the it uses nice heavy 142 grain bolts traveling at near 200 fps which gives an energy rating of around 12 foot pounds. If raw power is what you are interested in, then this is your best option for something still compact and quiet if you do not have a firearms license or want to avoid that hassle and the legalities around it.
Pros:
Light weight and compact.
More power than an airgun yet still quiet to shoot so can use discreetly just about anywhere with a good back stop setup.
Auto loading system for quick follow up shots.
Easy to draw the bow using the stock for leverage.
Comes with bow pre-strung and ready to mount.
Lots of Picatinny rail mounting options for sights and accessories.
Fiber optic front sight with two rear sight options (grove and peep).
Ambidextrous bolt safety easy to engage and disengage.
20 bolts included to fully load both 10 round magazines.
190-200 fps (11-12ft/lbs).
Comes with upgraded fore grip.
6 portion AR compatible adjustable rear but stock with cheek adjustment.
Cons:
Fairly expensive.
Sights are not adjustable.
Will need a good backstop or will lose lots of bolts.
Takes a little bit of time to set it up but not too hard, just follow the steps in the manual.
Comments:
The Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow is an interesting product, the autoloading system with 10 round magazines turns this from a simple target bow into a bit of an action shooter once you get the reloading down. As a potential pest control solution it for sure has the power as long as you can harness it by practicing to the point where you can get those 142 grain bolts on target and make a humane shot. Having quick follow up shots is necessary just in case the first shot does not quite get the job done. The upgraded add on accessories you get with the Steambow M10 Tactical Recurve Crossbow really give it a quilty feel and it is nice you not only have a fully adjustable AR compactly rear stock with a cheek rest but you have the option of a peep or grove rear sight to line up the fiber optic front sight. The price is on the high side but if you want the most ultimate Compact Recurve Crossbow auto loading system with maximum ammo then this is for sure the product for you.
I did my unboxing vide for both the Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical and M10 Tactical already which is generally a preview of the products I am unboxing but with these types of compact crossbows, they generally need a bit of setup before they are complete and ready to view and use.
For that reason I wanted to make a quick combined Preview Video for Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical and M10 Tactical Crossbows so you can see what they look like all put together, and what the main differences are between the two of them. This way you can figure out which one might be the best choice if you are in the market for a product like this.
Let’s go over the main specifications and differences to determine what you get with each one:
Distributed by: Steambow GmbH Austria.
Materials: Mostly plastic with some metal parts.
Weight: M10 4 pounds / AR-6 2.6 pounds.
Lengt: M10 24.2 inches / AR-6 22 inches.
Width: M10 17.5 inches / 17.5 inches.
Magazine Capacity: M10 10 bolts per external magazine / AR-6 6 bolts per internal magazine.
Another Mystery Box to share with everyone but this time I peaked a bit so it’s not as much of a mystery for me, but it will be for you. I was glad I peaked as the items inside where not the usual assortment and it was good I was able to get a bit of pre-intel on them before I jumped into this unboxing, as there was a lot to discover about each of the three items in the Mystery Box. I hope they appeal to some of you, I think they are very interesting and after checking them out, some of you may decide to add one or two of them to your collection.
The first two items I looked at are from an Austrian based company called Steambow. They are both compact crossbows that offer a unique reloading system with built in Magazines that hold either 6 or 10 rounds depending on the version you buy. The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical is the less expensive yet still “kind of expensive” version with a built in 6 round magazine While the AR Series Steambow M10 Tactical has an upper that accepts 10 round magazines you can preload. The Steambow AR-6 Stinger II Tactical comes with a 55 pound pre-strung bow that produces around 10 foot pounds of energy, while the Steambow M10 Tactical come with a 75 pound pre-strung bow which should produce close to 12 or more foot pounds of energy. Both incorporate fiber optic slights, lots of rail mounting options, AR style rear stocks which shoulder mount easy and quick cocking to make the most of the automatic bolt loading systems.
Another Archery based item also in this months Mystery Box was the Umarex AirJavelin FishR PCP based arrow launcher designed for anglers. It is intended to work with a fishing real of your choice and comes with a single retrievable barbed arrow, so a lot like bow fishing but with a PCP propulsion system. The Umarex AirJavelin FishR has a built in 4500 psi tank that is regulated to 800 psi and the arrow is a whopping 1250 grain to cut through the water with ease. The entire system is salt water resistant so you can use it in both fresh and salt water conditions. There are both picatinny and M-LOK mounting options for sights and accessories.
Stay posted for my Table Top and Field Testing Video Reviews coming shortly…
To start things off with my Field Test Shooting Video of the Umarex Marlin Lever Action Spring BB Rifle, I shoot 5 rounds through my Chronograph to see what the real world velocity is in fps. Umarex claims around 300 fps. I was able to average right around 274 fps so not far off of the claim. My lowest performing shot was 270 fps with the fastest shot hitting 278 fps, so all very close in velocity which is typical of a spring piston Airgun, this will help with consistent accuracy especially in terms of elevation.
When it comes to the accuracy, the Umarex Marlin Lever Action Spring BB Rifle did as well or perhaps even better than my other testing using previous Red Ryder type Air Rifles. If I through out one flyer I got, my 10 shot grouping was able to get around a 2 inch grouping that was overall well centered on the target, maybe juts a hair to the right. Even with the flyer the grouping spread out to a 3 inch grouping. I am pretty sure I could do better as this was the first time shooting this rifle. Keep in mind as I have to work the lever action for each shot that requires me to hold the rifle straight up and down in order for proper BB loading, this means I need to fully reset my hands on the sand bag and re-aim for each shot which will effect accuracy consistency a bit. Still a good result.
All in all I do really like the Umarex Marlin Lever Action Spring BB Rifle, mainly as it has a longer shoulder pull more suitable for adults. I feel adults get left out a bit in terms of target marketing with the standard Red Ryder which is a very compact BB Rifle with a short shoulder pull more suited for kids and youth shooters. This makes the Umarex Marlin Lever Action Spring BB Rifle more comfortable to shoot as an adult but will still work for youth and kids as is is not too large in size or heavy or even very hard to work the lever action. Now the whole family can really take part in the fun experience of shooting a Red Ryder type BB Rifle!
Type: Lever Action Rifle Manufacturer: Distributed by Umarex. Model:Marlin Cowboy Lever Action BB Rifle. Materials: Metal and plastic. Weight: 2.59 pounds (1.2kg). Total Length: 36.69 inches (93.2cm). Barrel: 16 inches (40.6cm) metal rifled. Propulsion: Spring. Action: Lever. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB’s. Ammunition Capacity: 650 in hopper. FPS: Claimed 300.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on Umarex Marlin Cowboy Lever Action BB Rifle is just about right for a rifle like this at 5 pounds with a medium to short pull length. I would say it is perfect for just about all shooter including novice shooters as it is not overly light, so as not to go off by accident and not too heavy so as to affect your accuracy. The Umarex Marlin Cowboy Lever Action BB Rifle trigger is considered a single action only trigger as it is only active after each cycle of the lever action which also is required to chamber a BB round.
Accuracy: My dedicated field test shooting video will be coming up over the next couple of weeks. So for now I have no idea what to expect in terms of velocity and accuracy from the Umarex Marlin Cowboy Lever Action BB Rifle, other than the claimed 300 fps which is what you can expect from the similar Red Ryder BB Rifle. Accuracy in general for a BB Rifle like this can be hit or miss. From past shooting experiences testing out the Red Ryder and first version of the Crosman Marlin Cowboy BB Rifle, they both shot decent from about 30 feet away, but I would have to say the Red Ryder did perform more consistently getting a tighter grouping than the Crosman Marlin Cowboy. Hopefully this Umarex newer version performs up to par.
Build Quality: The Umarex Marlin Cowboy Lever Action BB Rifle has overall good build quality with a metal barrel, receiver, rear sight and lever. The stock is plastic along with the front sight and the trigger but it does look and feel well made with all the mechanical parts feeling solid and tight. It does feel much heavier in the hand than the claimed 2.59 pounds. I would have preferred a metal trigger, not sure why Umarex went with a plastic trigger?
Realism: The Umarex Marlin Cowboy Lever Action BB Rifle is essentially styled after the Old West Lever Action Cowboy Rifle, and it has everything one would expect other than loading shells which is available in other CO2 poweredLever Action Air Rifles if you don’t mind paying a premium for one of them. The lever does not work the cycling of the bolt but rather it pre-cooks the internal spring that provides the air pressure and power. The lever does load a single 4.5mm Steel BB with each crank of the action. I do like that the Umarex Marlin Cowboy Lever Action BB Rifle has a full shoulder pull stock more suitable for larger shooters which does all add to the realism rather than having a super short rear stock.
Pros:
Easy to pump.
Fit and finish looks good for an inexpensive Airguns, seems very well made.
In terms of realism it does look like a classic old west lever action rifle for the most part.
Holds 650 BB’s in the hopper for quicker follow up shooting and virtually unlimited ammo.
Official Marlin licensing and branding via Umarex.
Rear peep sight is metal and is also adjustable for elevation.
Trigger pull is pretty decent, not too light but is medium-short and about 5 pounds.
Metal lever feels a lot better than as plastic one and will be more durable.
Shoulder pull length is much longer than a standard kids type Red Ryder BB Rifle.
Plastic stock has nice texturing that helps with grip and looks.
Cons:
No sight adjustments for windage.
Overall Power is lower than other CO2 BB and Pellet Rifles but still is adequate for it’s intended purpose.
Would have liked a metal front sight and trigger.
Comments:
The Umarex Marlin Cowboy Lever Action BB Rifle in my opinion is really built for adult shooters that want to join in on the fun with perhaps their kids or other youth shooters shooting something like a Red Ryder. The longer shoulder pull feels a lot more natural for larger shooters and I do feel like the Umarex Marlin Cowboy Lever Action BB Rifle just feels a bit more like a full size Lever Action Rifle. Performance wise, I dolt think we are going to see anything much different than what we are already getting from a standard Red Ryder or first generation Marlin Cowboy BB Rifle. That’s really OK since this type of rifle is made for good old fun, blasting pop cans and plastic army men with a friend. And with some time shooting one you can get pretty accurate with one of these BB rifles too.
Type: Less Lethal Pistol. Manufacturer:Umarex - T4E. Model:P2P HDP 50. Materials: Metal & Polymer. Weight: 1.5 pounds (.7 kg). Barrel: 4 inches (10.2 cm) Smooth bore. Total Length: 8.5 inches (21.6 cm). Power Source: 1x12 gram CO2. Action: Semi auto - Double action only trigger. Ammo Type: .50 Caliber Rubber Ball, Pepper Ball, Powder Ball. Ammo Capacity: 6 Round spring fed internal magazine. FPS: 485 (13 Joules).
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on Umarex P2P HDP 50 Gen 2 CO2 Less Lethal Pistol is double action only but not overly long or heavy. There does not seem to be any ammo friction which is nice, so the each round feels about the same with spring tension not playing a factor. In order to use the trigger, the Pistol will need to be fully charged by loading a 12 gram CO2 and giving it a smack on the bottom of the pistol grip. This will pierce the CO2, charging the gun with pressure and activation the trigger mechanism. When the CO2 pressure becomes too low, the trigger will not function and a fresh CO2 will needed to be swapped over.
Accuracy: So far I have only briefly tried out the Umarex P2P HDP 50 Gen 2 CO2 Less Lethal Pistol here in the Replica Airguns Indoor Airgun Shooting Range, and I was rather impressed at the initial performance as it did seem to be moving the .50 call rubber balls I was shooting at close to 500 fps with a lot of energy as my pepper and cardboard target was dislodged from the backstop after a few shots. Accuracy seems to be as expected from a Paintball type pistol, so I am expecting to get around a 4-6 inch 6 shot grouping at 30 feet away which will be effective in a Less Lethal encounter.
Build Quality: The build quality of the Umarex P2P HDP 50 Gen 2 CO2 Less Lethal Pistol is good overall. It is mostly made out of plastic which is fine, as I feel that if it was mostly metal, and because of its larger size, it would be on the heavy side and not something you may want to use in a cary situation if that was your plan. There is metal where it needs to be in most of the mechanical areas including the barrel, trigger, charging system and I am sure other internal parts. The plastic parts feel well made and fit and finish is very good. The Umarex P2P HDP 50 Gen 2 CO2 Less Lethal Pistol does have more than enough weight at 1.5 pounds to feel solid in the hand.
Realism: This version of the Umarex P2P HDP 50 Gen 2 CO2 Less Lethal Pistol comes with the orange slide to show that it is not a lethal firearm. I have seen all black version but at this time we only sell the colored slide version. This does make it obvious that the Umarex P2P HDP 50 Gen 2 CO2 Less Lethal Pistol is not a “Real Firearm” designed for lethal encounters, which in Canada is a good thing since our self protection laws seem to favor the criminal more than the victim. So making sure you are using a tool designed to deter a criminal rather than harm or kill them, is hopefully going to keep you out of trouble with the law. That said the Umarex P2P HDR 50 Gen 2 CO2 Less Lethal Pistol does look like a modern semi auto pistol and functions much the same but with less force.
Pros:
Not many options for a true less-lethal option here in Canada. This Airgun is purpose built for less lethal use so it has what I believe is enough power to actually dissuade most intruders.
In this case I like that it is clearly marked in orange to indicate it is not an actual lethal firearm. When protecting yourself in Canada you have to be cautious with your intentions, and having clear orange markings will help in your case to show that you where not trying to give the impression of using a real firearm.
Nice powerful 485fps with a 13 Joules energy rating.
Can store the 12 gram CO2 in it and activate with a quick hit to the bottom of the CO2 screw.
Holds 6 rounds in the internal magazine which hopefully gets the job done. Should be able to reload at least one more time for a total of 12 shots per 12 gram CO2.
Fiber Optic sights make it easy to line up your target in most lighting conditions and backgrounds.
Double action trigger feels smooth and not too heavy or long, also has a trigger safety on it.
Can add a tactical light or laser to the under barrel picatinny rail.
Comes with 10 rubber and 10 powder balls to get you started.
Cons:
It is a bit on the larger size, not going to be easy to cary if that is your plan. I do not know what the legal ramifications of carrying this would be as it is clearly designed for protection and not for lethal encounters.
Not a lot of shots per CO2 but the idea here is to quickly deliver as much damage as possible, this is not a weapon for prolonged gun fights.
In Canada it does not seem you can get pepper balls easily most likely due to import regulations.
Comments:
The Umarex P2P HDP 50 Gen 2 CO2 Less Lethal Pistol is a very refreshing product for us here in Canada as up until now similar styled Rubber Ball purpose built self defense products we have been able to get, in my opinion simply did not have enough power to really be effective other than the initial intimidation of holding what looks like a firearm. If it came down to actually shooting it, I don’t believe there would be enough stopping power to deter an intruder. The Umarex P2P HDP 50 Gen 2 CO2 Less Lethal Pistol on the other hand has a 485 fps, 13 Joules power rating which is a rather big jump from other similar products available to us here in Canada and although it may not stop everyone, I do believe you have a much better chance protecting yourself with the Umarex P2P HDP 50 Gen 2 CO2 Less Lethal Pistol. If you are looking for something to have at home to help you feel a bit safer, then the Umarex P2P HDP 50 Gen 2 CO2 Less Lethal Pistol is the absolute best option for Canadians at this time.
Type: GBB Airsoft Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by EMG. Model:SAI 2011 DS 4.3. Materials: Mostly metal (Aluminum) and plastic. Weight: 1.94 pounds (878 grams). Total Length: 8.25 inches (210mm). Barrel: 4 inches (102mm) metal rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x1. Action: Semi auto Blowback, SAO trigger. Ammunition Type: 6mm Airsoft BB’s. Ammunition Capacity: 30+1. FPS: Claimed 380-430.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the EMG SAI 2011 DS 4.3 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol like what you would find on a traditional 1911 style pistol so it is Single Action Only and is nice and short and light in weight. Being a single action pistol for your first shot you will need to pull back the slide to chamber a round into the barrel which will also cock the hammer for you. the blowback action will cycle the slide for you from that point on automating the action.
Accuracy: I have not made my Field test Shooting Video or even tested out the EMG SAI 2011 DS 4.3 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol yet or even shot it at all so I can not comment on the performance other than the claimed velocity of (380-430 fps) which does seem a bit high to me? My plan is to have this info available next week when I make my Field test Shooting Video so stay posted of that video coming out shortly…
Build Quality: The EMG SAI 2011 DS 4.3 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol is a well made Airsoft Pistol with quality materials throughout. You will find a machined aluminum slide an aluminum frame and a full metal drop out magazine. The barrel is Titanium Nitride Coated and the only real plastic parts I could find would be the grips, the gas tube and the hop-up wheel. The stainless coating on this Airsoft pistol looks fairly thick and so should stand up over time with less wear showing.
Realism: The EMG SAI 2011 DS 4.3 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol to me is not a true 2011 design as it does not have the once piece grip/trigger guard design found in 2011 pistols. It is double stack so that fits with the naming convention but I would say it is more like a combination of the Salient Arms SAI Red and SAI Red H. It does check all the boxes for realism in terms of function, looks and feel with all the working parts you expect on a Replica Airsoft Pistol including being able to fully field strip it.
Pros:
Superior Performance and 1:1 Scale Functionality.
Machined Aluminum Alloy Frame and Slide.
Rugged Reliability without sacrificing Weight.
Officially licensed by Salient Arms International.
Front and Rear Combat Style Sights with integrated Forward Fiber Optic.
Machined Anti-Glare Slide Top.
Ambidextrous Safety and Squared Trigger.
Titanium Nitride Style SAI Barrel for added durability.
On-Frame Integrated Accessory Rail.
Skeletonized trigger and hammer.
Options of both Green Gas and CO2 Magazines.
Deep Engraving with Real Steel Training Weapon Grade External Finish, Look, and Feel.
Cons:
Has orange barrel tip. But can be removed with some work.
No white dot or fiber optics on rear sight.
Not really a True 2011 in design as the name suggests.
Comments:
I am a huge 1911/2011 fan and so the EMG SAI 2011 DS 4.3 CO2 Blowback Airsoft Pistol really appeals to me. I like the compact design of the EMG SAI 2011 DS 4.3 yet it has a nice high capacity double stack magazine that gives this Airsoft Pistol a bit more girth in the hands which for me is OK as I have pretty large hands. I like that you have the option of shooting CO2 or Green Gas depending on what magazine you are using. This version comes with a CO2 Magazine, but you can purchase a green gas magazine if you prefer using gas over CO2. I like the modern look with the gold barrel and skeletonized trigger and hammer. The price is on the higher side but sometimes you have to pay a little bit more to get the additional quality and to have a gun that really stands out.
Type: NBB CO2 BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Gamo. Model: P-20. Materials: Plastic & metal. Weight: .97 pounds (439 grams). Total Length: 7.25 inches (184mm) Barrel: 4.25 inches (108mm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto NBB, double action only trigger. AmmunitionType: 4.5mm steel BB's. AmmunitionCapacity: 20 round metal stick magazine. FPS: Claimed 400.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Gamo GP-20 Combat CO2 BB Pistol is the same as pretty much all of the DOA trigger low cost BB Pistols where the trigger has to do all the work. Much of which is pulling back the fairly strong internal hammer spring which in this case is the barrel which protrudes slightly out of the front of the pistol until you reach the release point, and it snaps back hitting the valve and pressurizing the Airgun. This will give you a bit of a finger workout if you are shooting fast and want to empty out the 20 round magazine.
Accuracy: At this point I have not tested or shot the Gamo GP-20 Combat CO2 BB Pistol but I plan on making my Field Test Shooting Video the following week so stay posted for that. I do expect it to perform nearly exactly live every other Airgun made like this, and there are many that essentially have all the same internal components with a slightly redesigned outer shell, so mechanically they are all the same and should shoot about the same. It should get really close to the claimed 400 fps and I expect it to shoot under a 2-3 inch grouping, unless I am having an off day.
Build Quality: The build quality of the Gamo GP-20 Combat CO2 BB Pistol is what you expect from almost all plastic BB Guns of this type. It is not super heavy but that means less can break when dropped on a hard surface. Fit and finish are good and one gripe I have with most of these types of BB pistols built the same way, is that the grips are a bit lose so it can pop off when you pull it back. The Gamo GP-20 Combat’s grips are a lot more solid and this does help make the Airgun feel a bit more confidence inspiring.
Realism: The Gamo GP-20 Combat CO2 BB Pistol from what I can see is not an exact copy of a real steel pistol in production but it does look like a modern semi auto pistol in design. The barrel is slightly recessed, and the CO2 tab is also hidden inside the grips, so unless you get close to the pistol you would think it could be the real deal. That said some giveaways are the moulded into the slide ejection port and the screw holes on the right side of the two plastic halves of the Airgun along with the kind of out of place standard safety switch that looks more like something you would find on a piece of electronics.
Pros:
Very low cost and simple design will make it reliable.
Fit and finish looks decent for an all plastic gun, grip are actually pretty tight.
Picatinny rail for adding accessories like a laser or tac light.
Standard metal stick magazine found in lots of Airguns for cross compatibility.
Right hand screws are very small and less obvious then some other two sided low cost plastic Airguns.
White dot sight up front and fiber optic in the back are easy to see on all backgrounds..
Safety is right above the trigger finger so easy to switch if you are right handed.
Recessed barrel for added realism.
Cons:
Some more metal would have been nice, but typical of a low cost BB shooter like this.
Double action trigger does require some work, so action shooting will be a bit harder.
Not a lot of working parts other than the trigger, safety, and magazine release.
Comments:
I have reviewed many CO2 BB Pistols built exactly like the Gamo GP-20 Combat CO2 BB Pistol, so it is at least for me, not the most exciting Airgun review but I always enjoy the chance to shoot even the most basic of Airguns. I would say the Gamo GP-20 Combat CO2 BB Pistol in this category is one of the nicer options as I feel Gamo stepped up the build quality just a bit, even if it was just to make the grips feel more solid and less prone to popping off when loading CO2. It is a little bit beefier than similar CO2 BB Pistols in this category so maybe not the best for smaller handed individuals but good for someone like me with larger mitts. The price is right for sure and with its simple design, it should perform as expected for a good long time!
Type:Blowback BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Made and Distributed by ASG. Model:CZ Shadow 2. Materials: Mostly all Metal. Weight: 2.7 pounds (1230 grams). Barrel: 4.5 inches (114mm) metal non-rifled. Total Length: 85 inch (215mm). Propulsion: 1 x CO2. Action: Semi auto blowback, single & double action trigger. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 17 round drop out full size metal magazine. FPS: Claimed 285.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the ASG CZ Shadow 2 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol is both single and double action, by either pulling the slide or hammer back you engage the single action trigger which is nice and short and light with a medium take-up. You will need to pull the slide back to load a BB into the breach area for your first shot or you will simply be shooting CO2 on that first shot. If you drop the hammer down once a BB is in the breach, you can shoot in double action which is much heavier but it is fairly smooth without any noticeable sticking points.
Accuracy: I have not shot the ASG CZ Shadow 2 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol or made my Field Test Shooting Video so far, that will happen hopefully next week. So right now I can not comment on the true velocity or accuracy of this BB Pistol. It is very well made so I expect it to perform like most Full Blowback CO2 BB pistols which means it should shoot around a 1-2 inch 10 shot grouping at 30 feet away. And I expect it to achieve a velocity close to the manufacturers claimed fps, so just under 300 fps as claimed by ASG. We will find out for sure next in a weeks time!
Build Quality: TheASG CZ Shadow 2 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol is distributed by ASG but I am not 100% sure who exactly makes it for them. I feel it is either going to be KJWorks or KWA. In either case both companies make very high quality Airsoft and Airguns and that is present with the ASG Shadow 2 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol. Fit and finish are excellent and the entire gun is virtually all metal with an anodized slide and zinc grips. It weighs in at a very hefty 2.7 pounds and has a very solid feel to it.
Realism: The ASG CZ Shadow 2 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol is a 1 to 1 copy of the real steel CZ Shadow 2 IPSC Pistol and side by side it would be very hard to tell one form the other. It features full blowback operation and can by fully field stripped. All the mechanical parts work like the real steel version adding to the realism of shooting this CO2 Competition built Blowback BB Pistol. Again it is full metal which not only helps it look the part, but also feel the part. It is a very realistic replica and to make it even more believable, ASG has provide the CZ licensing to add all the correct markings to this product.
Pros:
Single and double action trigger with a nice light short single action trigger.
Fit and finish is excellent, very little slide wiggle, all metal build.
This pistol is heavy at 2.7 pounds!
Extremely close replica of the real steel CZ Shadow 2 in both looks and function.
Rear sight is fully adjustable and sits very flush with the slide.
Fiber optic front sight helps with quick targets acquisition.
CNC machined Aluminum slide and full metal build including the machined zinc pistol grip sides.
Recessed barrel for added realism.
Full size 17 round metal magazine holds the CO2 and BB’s and adds additional weight.
Side swappable Ambidextrous magazine release.
Extended trigger guard makes shooting with gloves easier.
Claimed to be highly accurate, we will find out during my Field Test.
Most Mechanical parts work just like a steel version and can be easily field stripped to access hop-up.
Heavy slide spring with fast blowback action, great for action shooting.
Licensing all over this gun true to the real steel version.
Cons:
Velocity of claimed 285 seems low.
Price will be a bit higher than some similar guns like this but the quality of the ASG CZ Shadow 2 is very high.
May be a bit heavy for some people.
Comments:
The ASG CZ Shadow 2 Blowback CO2 BB Pistol is a quality product all around not only being just full metal but also icormdrating Anodized Aluminum in the slide but also making the grips out of CNC Zinc. Fit and finish is excellent and the overall IPSC look is very appealing. It is a bit heavy coming in at 2.7 pounds but this will keep it very stable when performing competition styled shooting. I am really looking forward to seeing how this one performs as I have high expectations so I hope later on next week when I make my Field Test Shooting video it delivers as promised.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Barra Cowboy Series 1858 CO2 BB Revolver is a single action only trigger, so you will need to cock the hammer back before each shot which does take away almost all of the trigger pull length and weight, making it short and light and easy to shoot. Perfect for slowed down accurate shot placement, but less effective as an action shooter.
Accuracy: I have not tested out the Barra Cowboy Series 1858 CO2 BB Revolver but it is a lot like the Crosman Fortify SA CO2 BB Revolver so I am thinking it will perform at lot like that CO2 BB Revolver, if you want to get an idea on how the Barra 1858 might perform, you can watch my Crosman Fortify Filed Test Shooting Video to get a heads up before I make my official Filed Test Shooting Video for the Barra Cowboy Series 1858 CO2 BB Revolver.
Build Quality: When it comes to the build for the Barra Cowboy Series 1858 CO2 BB Revolver, there is not a lot to really get super excited about. It is basically a mostly all plastic gun with some metal parts internally like the barrel, trigger, hammer and CO2 area. The Barra 1858 has that lower cost Airgun, two halves, screwed together build which generally looks better on the side without the screws showing. As it is mostly plastic it is very light in the hand at only just about a pound or so. Overall there are not a lot of moving parts so it should be reliable enough just because there is not much to break or go wrong. All the mechanical components do what they need to do and feel solid enough.
Realism: The Barra Cowboy Series 1858 CO2 BB Revolver at a glance looks a lot like a Remington 1858 Single Action Revolver, it has the same shape and size but the weight is way less being mostly plastic. The lack of actual bullet holes in the cylinder looking at it from the front of the revolver also takes away from the realism. I guess I am really used to the new generation revolvers with working cylinders and real loadable shells but these guns are more expensive and hold less ammo as they are genuine to the 6 shooter capacity. The barrel is however recessed which is nice.
Pros:
Inexpensive revolver as compared to other shell loading styled revolvers out there.
A decent looking replica of a Remington 1858 Revolver.
Single action only trigger is short and light and well suited to careful shot placement shooting.
400 claimed fps is about perfect for plinking at ranges up 30-40 feet.
18 round magazine has a nice high capacity and easy to load when empty.
Should get lots of shots per CO2 as there will be very little CO2 leakage with a non shell loading design.
Safety is well well hidden just in front of the trigger so easy to get to.
Has a recessed barrel for added realism.
CO2 Allen key is built into grip so always have it on hand and will not lose it.
White markings as an warnings are not super obvious, could be a little lighter.
Comes with two starter CO2’s and some 4.5mm Steel BB’s.
Cons:
Almost all plastic builds makes it a bit light in the hand.
No fake shell holes in the front of the cylinder, could have added this for a more genuine look.
Sights are non adjustable but fairly normal for an inexpensive plinker.
Comments: The Barra Cowboy Series 1858 CO2 BB Revolver is a completely new concept in design over what we have become use to in todays Single Action Legend Revolvers with their shell loading design, the Crosman Fortify as I have mentioned is the only other new classic cowboy Revolver on the market like it so perhaps there will be more in the future. My shooting experience with the Crosman Fortify CO2 BB Revolver was about what I expected, it shot pretty close to the claimed fps and got around a 2 inch 10 round grouping shooting at a paper target 30 feet down range. So we will see if the Barra Cowboy Series 1858 CO2 BB Revolver performs about the same which was respectable. For a low cost BB Revolver you kind of get what you pay for here, which is not a bad deal at the end of the day considering the lower cost to get you up and shooting.
Type:Blowback BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Made and Distributed by KWC. Model:K17 (Black Barrel Version). Materials: Metal & Polymer. Weight: 1.68 pounds (760 grams). Barrel: 4.3 inches metal non-rifled. Propulsion: 1 x Co2. Action: Semi auto blowback, single action only trigger. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's. Ammunition Capacity: 17 round drop out full size metal magazine. FPS: Claimed 329.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the KWC K17 Black Barrel CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is short with only a little bit of take up, the release is light and crips. The blowback action resets the internal Hammer / Striker with each shot for that true single action trigger and it’s also nice that the trigger does have a working trigger safety. You will need to rack the slide for the first shot but then the blowback action takes over for the rest of the shots.
Accuracy: I have already made a Field Test Shooting Video for the Gold Barrel version of this same KWC K17 pistol so you can check out that video here to see how the Black Barrel Version will essentially shoot. If you want to know right here and now the KWC K17 shot right around 325 fps and got a 4 inch grouping at 30 feet away shooting 10 rounds into a paper target. Maybe the Black Barrel Version will shoot a bit differently for me? We will find out soon enough…
Build Quality: TheKWC K17 Black Barrel CO2 Blowback BB Pistol feels really good, I’m going to say it’s probably one of the nicest KWC CO2 blowback pistols I have had in my hands to date. The finish is really nice, the polymer frame is flawless and fit is really good with nice tight tolerances throughout. it may even look better to me than the Umarex Glock version it is similar to?
Realism: The KWC K17 Black Barrel CO2 Blowback BB Pistol being a full blowback Airguns is supper realistic in terms of looking like and functioning like a real steel gun. All the parts function as you would expect them to including the ability to filed strip the KWC K17 which gives you easy access to the hop-up. In terms of the KWC K17 Black Barrel CO2 Blowback BB Pistol being a replica it does look similar to Glock with some differences like the trigger guard, slide cut-outs, extended beaver tail and straighter pistol grip. As I shoe in my Review video the parts even mix and match with the Umarex Glock 17 Gen 4 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol we also sell. Available From: The Replica Airguns Store.
Pros:
Good weight with very solid feel to it.
Full blowback action will produce good recoil effect.
Full size drop out metal magazine.
Short and light single action only trigger.
No ugly markings or warnings.
I prefer the more standard look of this Black Barrel Version.
Field strips like the real steel version.
White dot sights front and back.
Adjustable hop-up to adjust for some limited elevation as needed.
Working trigger safety along with serial number safety.
Cons:
Full blowback action will produce lower fps and use up more CO2.
But plate could be more like the Umarex Glock version.
Comments:
I really like the KWC K17 Black Barrel CO2 Blowback BB Pistol as I did the Good Barrel Version, it may even be one of my favorite CO2 Blowback BB Pistols from KWC to date. I am not a huge fan of the Gold barrel version but that’s a personal preference thing. All in all if you’re looking for that Modern Pistol design than the KWC K17 CO2 Blowback BB Pistol is going to fit the bill. If you are a Glock fan also make sure to checkout our Umarex Glock line of CO2 BB, Airsoft and even Paintball Replica Pistol in our online Replace Airgun stores…
Type: BB PistolPellet Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Crosman. Model: SNR357. Materials: Mostly metal, some plastic parts. Weight: 1.92 pound (871 grams). Total Length: 8.13 inches (20.65cm). Barrel: 3 inches (7.6cm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2. Action: Revolver single and double action. AmmunitionType: 4.5mm BB’s / .177 cal. pellets. AmmunitionCapacity: 6 round cylinder. FPS: Claimed 400.
Trigger Pull: The Crosman SNR357 CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver has both a single and double action trigger, meaning you can pre-cock the hammer and shoot in single action which has a light short trigger pull. Or you can simply shoot in double action by pulling the trigger when the hammer is down and the trigger will cock the hammer and also release it to fire the Revolver. In double action the trigger is noticeably longer and heavier than in single action as your trigger finger now has to do all the work for the action. Having both single and double action is nice as you can shoot in action rapid fire using the double action or slow down and shoot with more accuracy in single action.
Accuracy: I have not tested out this exact Crosman SNR357 CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver but I have reviewed several similar products from Dan Wesson which essentially are the exact same mechanical gun manufactured by Wingun for both ASG and Crosman. I will be making a new Field Test Video for the Crosman SNR357 in a week or two but you can take a look at my recent Field Test Video for the Dan Wesson 2.5 inch Gold version which is mechanically the same gun as the Crosman SNR357 CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver.
Build Quality: When it comes to the build of the Crosman SNR357 CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver, it is alsmot all metal other than mainly the grips and the CO2 tab as far as I can tell. It weighs in at nearly 2 pounds even for a more compact revolver so it feels very hefty in the hand. In similar Dan Wesson models there has been some concerns with the hammer feeling a bit sloppy but this has never caused any concern in terms of functionality. I also am not a fan of the way the grips slide back for access to the CO2 as they can come off and misalign when trying to put them back in place. Other than that this pistol is a solid well made revolver.
Realism: The Crosman SNR357 CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver is styled after a 357 type snub nosed revolver and looks for the most part true to scale and form. As this product design was one of the first shell loading revolvers back in the day, manufacturers had to use parts that where already available as in the CO2 valves which where at the time a bit longer than they can make now. Because of this, the area between the cylinder and the back the revolver is a bit long to accommodate the longer valves made at that time. This does distorts the gun a little bit but to be honest most people will not notice.
Pros:
Design has been around for a while now and so it is well tested.
A decent looking replica of a 357 type revolver.
Single and double action trigger allows for both action and more laid back and precise shooting ability.
400 claimed fps is more than adequate for plinking and action shooting.
Always fun loading up the 6 removable shells and placing them in the cylinder.
Fully adjustable sights for dead center shooting.
CO2 is fully well hidden inside the grips.
Can choose between shooting pellets or BB’s.
Cons:
Barrel is not recessed.
Area between cylinder and hammer is a bit long as it has to accommodate the CO2 valve.
Grip removal can be a bit finicky.
Comments: The Crosman SNR357 CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver is far from a new styled gun on the market, it’s been around for about a decade originally introduced main stream by ASG as their Dan Wesson 357. Being an older styled airgun means any issues it may have had are now for sure worked out so you know you are getting a solid and reliable Air Pistol here. If you are looking for an updated 357 then take a look at the Dan Wesson 715 series as some of the issues I have mentioned with the SNR357 are worked out on the newer style 357 Revolvers.
Type: BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Crosman. Model: Fortify. Materials: Mostly plastic, some internal metal parts. Weight:1 pound (455 grams). Total Length: 10.5 inches (26.6cm). Barrel: 5.55 inches 14cm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2. Action: Revolver SAO. Ammunition Type: 4.5mm Steel BB’s. Ammunition Capacity: 18 round internal magazine. FPS: Claimed 420.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman Fortify Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolver is a single action only trigger, so you will have to cock the hammer back before each shot which does take away most of the trigger pull length and weight, making it short and light and easy to shoot. Perfect for slowed down accurate shot placement, but less effective as an action shooter.
Accuracy: I have not tested out the Crosman Fortify Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolver any capacity, nor do I have any experience with it as the design is new from Crosman and I have not seen it before with any other Airgun on the market. So for now all we can go on is what Crosman claims, which is around 420fps and when it comes to accuracy your guess will be as good as mine so keep checking back for my upcoming Field Test Shooting Video for the Crosman Fortify Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolver were I will test the velocity and accuracy out in the Replica Airguns Indoor Sea Can Shooting Range.
Build Quality: When it comes to the build for the Crosman Fortify Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolver, there is not a lot to write home about. It is basically a mostly plastic gun with some metal parts internally like the barrel, trigger, hammer and CO2 area. The Crosman Fortify has that lower cost Airgun, two halves, screwed together build which generally looks better on the side without the screws showing. As it is mostly plastic it is very light in the hand at around a pound or so. Overal there are not a lot of moving parts so it should be reliable enough just because of this. All the mechanical components do what they need to do and feel solid enough.
Realism: The Crosman Fortify Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolver at a glance looks a lot like a Colt Single Action Army Revolver, it has the same shape and size but the weight is very slight. The lack of actual bullet holes in the cylinder looking from the front of the revolver also takes away from the realism. I guess I am really used to the new generation revolvers with working cylinders and real loadable shells but these guns are more expensive and hold less ammo as they are genuine to the 6 shooter capacity.
Pros:
Inexpensive revolver as compared to other shell loading styled revolvers out there.
A decent looking replica of a Colt Single Action Army revolver.
Single action only trigger is short and light and well suited to careful shot placement shooting.
420 claimed fps is about perfect for plinking at ranges up 30-40 feet.
18 round magazine has a nice high capacity and easy to load when empty
Safety is well thought out and built into an already existing part of the gun rather than simply adding a switch afterwards.
I like the look with the all back frame and bone white grips.
CO2 Allen key is built into grip so always have it on hadn’t and will not lose it.
Cons:
Mostly plastic builds makes it a bit light in the hand.
No fake shell holes in the front of the cylinder, could have added this for a more genuine look.
Safety is rather on the the firm side.
Comments: The Crosman Fortify Single Action Army CO2 BB Revolver is a completely new concept in design over what we have become use to in todays Single Action Army Revolvers. I want to hold my opinion on it till I actually shoot it as that could make or break this one for me. Maybe if it is a really fun shooter then I can excuse some of the shortcomings it has as a Replica Revolver but I guess we will see in a little bit when I get to my Field Test Shooting Review for it. For under $100 it may be worth it to some to try out especially if you don't already own a Single Action Army Revolver in your Airgun collection.
I have already reviewed several Crosman 357 Pellet/BB Revolvers in the past like the Crosman Vigilante which also has the ability to shoot both .177 caliber pellets and 4.5mm Steel BB’s, (Really they all are with the right magazine). With the Vigilante my pellet chronograph tests got similar results but with Steel BB’s the Crosman Vigilante did a lot better than my Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver using a similar 6 inch barrel. As expected both the Crosman Vigilante and the Crosman Triple Threat did about the same in terms of accuracy getting better results with pellets over Steel BB’s.
Starting with the velocity portion of my Indoor Field Test Shooting video, I placed a brand new 12 gram CO2 into the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver and tested out some 7 grain .177 caliber Lead Pellets. I averaged 382 fps in what I would consider normal indoor temperature ranges so you can expect a bit higher velocities in warmer conditions. Moving on to 4.5mm 5.1 grain Steel BB’s, I averaged quite a bit lower velocity at 288 fps. I was surprise since it was almost 100 fps lower than the heavier 7 grain lead pellets. The logical reason for this is that lead Pellets fit the barrel much more snug, stoping any CO2 from getting around them which helps increase the velocity over Steel BB’s which are a hard metal and need to be slightly smaller in diameter and therefore do let some CO2 get by reducing the pressure behind them.
For the accuracy porting of the the Indoor Field Test I shot 10 rounds for my pellet magazine first and then 6 rounds for the BB magazine, simply because this is how many rounds each magazine holds… Makes sense right? Even with the pellet magazine holding 10 rounds over the BB magazine’s 6 rounds, the Pellet magazine was still able to get a much tighter grouping at around 1 inch over the BB target which was closer to 3 inches. BB’s seemed to really like to hook a bit with the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver, so I would for sure go with pellets if accuracy is importatn to you. Both pellets and BB’s shot a little bit high and to the left from the bulls-eye but that can easily be adjusted with the fully adjustable rear sight.
The Crosman Triple Threat performed rather as expected and was not a big surprise other than the BB’s really having a much lower velocity this time around. It is clear to me that I would not waste my time shooting Steel BB’s unless this is all I had on hand as they where not only much slower but also a lot less accurate. Over time the steel BB’s could damage the rifled steel barrel effecting future pellet accuracy. The Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver offers a lot of options with ammo choice and barrel choice that alter it’s looks and even performance to some degree but if you want a Crosman 357 type CO2 Revolver than it for sure gives you the most flexibility.
Type: Non-blowback CO2 BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Bear River. Model: Bear River BR45. Materials: Mostly plastic. Weight: 1 pounds (454 grams). TotalLength: 8 inches (203mm). Barrel: 4.72 inches (120mm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto non-blowback, DOA trigger. AmmunitionType: .4.5mm steel BB’s. AmmunitionCapacity: 20 round drop out metal stick magazine. FPS: Claimed 410.
Trigger Pull: The Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol has a double action trigger commonly found on lower cost NBB CO2 BB Pistols with a long trigger pull that requires more length and effort to pull, but I would say is still usable for action shooting. Your finger will get worked a bit after several magazines of action shooting. The Bear River BR45 trigger pull makes the internal metal barrel move forward and out of the front of the barrel opening but as it has a recessed barrel you don’t really see it protruding out of the front. When you reach the release point the barrel snaps back into the BB Pistol acting like the hammer and releasing CO2 and shooting a BB.
Accuracy: I have not shoot the Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol yet or performed my standard Field Test Shooting Video, so I can not comment at this time on the actual performance other than what is claimed in terms of fps (410fps). I have shot several similar CO2 BB Pistols which share almost the exact same internal components but have a different external skin on them. One bonus is that all this style of metal stick magazines are the same so they will be interchangeable. My previous experiences with similar BB Pistols is that they will get mid 400fps velocities and in general will shot around a 2 inch grouping or so. It is hard to say how close the Bear River BR45 is going to shoot to the bullseye, as out of the box it may shoot a bit high or low or left or right. We will find out during my shooting test.
Build Quality: The Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is an almost all plastic moulded Airgun with only a few metal parts I can pick out. The trigger and magazine are metal along with the inner barrel and the area where the CO2 goes in. Because of the plastic build, it is rather light weight at around 1 pound which can actually be good if you were to drop it on a hard surface as the mass is low resulting in less damage. Scratches will also be less noticeable on an all plastic exterior Airgun over a metal Airgun as the material on a plastic Airgun is going to have the color throughout the material rather than a painted surface that will show blemishes a lot more. The simplicity of the design means you should get a lot of use from the Bear River BR45 before encountering any issues.
Realism: The Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is not a replica of an exact real steel gun in production but it does take after a Sig Sauer or H&K looking at the basic shape and features. There are few external mechanical working parts on the Bear River BR45 other than the trigger, safety, magazine and inner barrel. The barrel is well recessed and the CO2 tab is sunken in the grip which helps in terms of it looking more realistic.
Pros:
Nice size BB pistol, feels good in the hand.
Decent FPS rating of 410.
Picatinny rail on frame for adding on accessories.
Non-blowback should get lots of shots per CO2.
Easy to see white dot sights front and back.
CO2 tab is recessed and somewhat hidden under the grip.
Double action trigger pull is long but not too firm.
Uses a generic all metal stick magazines commonly found in lower cost BB pistols.
Recessed barrel looks that part.
Simple design with not a lot of moving parts will make it reliable for a long time.
Cons:
All plastic gun for the most part.
Not many working parts, pretty much all moulded gun.
CO2 tab a bit hard to use for people with bigger fingers.
Comments:
The Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is a basic mostly all plastic NBB CO2 BB Pistol very simple in design which makes it dependable and reliable as there is a lot less to go wrong as compared to a blowback metal BB Pistol with lots of moving parts. Also keep in mind the metal in Airguns is not as hard or strong as you find in a Real Steel Pistol so all of these moving metal parts will wear over time and some may eventually fail. Other advantages of a NBB CO2 BB Pistol are that it will have a decent velocity rating and it will also get more shots per CO2 as compared to blowback Air Pistols, so not only is the initial cost of a simple NBB Air Pistol going to be less but also you will not need as much CO2 to operate it. I do like the size of the Bear River BR45 NBB CO2 BB Pistol as it is a bit larger than similar NBB Replica Air Pistols which for me and my larger hands is a good thing.
Type: Non-blowback CO2 BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Barra. Model: Barra 380. Materials: Mostly plastic. Weight: .93 pounds (422 grams). TotalLength: 6.89inches (175mm). Barrel: 4.25 inches (108mm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto non-blowback, DOA trigger. AmmunitionType: .4.5mm steel BB’s. AmmunitionCapacity: 20 round drop out metal stick magazine. FPS: Claimed 410.
TriggerPull: The Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol has a typical double action trigger with a longer trigger pull that requires more length and effort to pull, but I would say is still usable as an action shooter. Your finger will get a bit tired after several magazines of action shooting. The Barra 380 trigger pull makes the internal metal barrel move forward and out of the front of the barrel opening enough to see it clearly, then when you reach the release point it snaps back into the BB Pistol acting like the hammer and releasing CO2 and shooting a BB.
Accuracy: I have yet to shoot the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol or even performed my standard Field Test Shooting Video as of yet, so I can not comment at this time on the actual performance other than what is claimed in terms of fps - 410fps by the way. I have shot several similar CO2 BB Pistols which share almost the exact same internal components but have a different external skin on them. One benefit is that all this style of metal stick magazines are the same so they will be interchangeable. My previous experiences with similar BB Pistols is that they will get mid 400fps velocities and in general will shot around a 2 inch grouping or so. It is hard to say how close theBarra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is going to shoot to the bullseye, as out of the box it may shoot a bit high or low or left or right. We will find out during my shooting test.
BuildQuality: The Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is a pretty much almost all plastic Airgun with only a few metal parts I can see on it. The trigger is metal along with the inner barrel and the area where the CO2 goes in. Because of the plastic build, it is rather light weight which can actually be good if you where to drop it on a hard surface as the mass is low resulting in less damage. Scratches will also be less noticeable on a plastic Airgun over a metal Airgun as the material on a plastic Airgun is all tan/black throughout the material rather than a painted surface that will show blemishes a lot more. The simplicity of the design means you should get a lot of use from the Barra 380 before encountering any issues.
Realism: The Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol is not a replica of an exact real steel gun in production but it does take after a compact Beretta when you look at the open barrel and similar trigger guard. There are few external mechanical working parts on the Barra 380 CO2 NBB BB Pistol other than the trigger, safety, magazine and inner barrel. The barrel is slightly recessed and the CO2 tab is hidden in the grip which helps in terms of it looking the part.
Pros:
Nice compact size BB pistol easy to transport.
Decent FPS rating of 410.
Should get lots of shots per CO2 as it is non-blowback
Picatinny rail on frame for adding accessories.
Does have a white dot sight up front.
Finger groves on pistol grips for a secure grip.
CO2 tab is well hidden within the grip.
Double action trigger pull is long but not too firm.
Uses a generic all metal stick magazines commonly found on lower cost BB pistols.
Simple design with not a lot of moving parts will make it reliable for a long time.
Cons:
All plastic gun for the most part.
Not many working parts, pretty much all moulded gun.
Grip can pop of kind of easy if you pull a bit hard.
Sights are non adjustable and no white dots on the rear sight.
Comments:
I often mention how I prefer blowback Airguns that have a more solid weight and feel to them with more working parts, but again there is a lot more that can go wrong and complex parts wear out over usage a lot quicker than a more simple design as in the the case of the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol. Price is also going to be a lot less when looking a more simplified Air Pistol like the Barra 380, as the plastic build is a lot cheaper to produce over more expensive metals. Another bonus with non-blowback CO2 airguns is that they do tend to have a higher velocity with more shots per CO2 than a similar CO2 Blowback Pistol, so less expensive to shoot over time. It really depends what you are really looking for? A couple other strong points to mention about the Barra 380 NBB CO2 BB Pistol would be the compatibility with other similar styled CO2 BB pistol metal stick magazines and if you like the look of a Beretta then you may also like the look of the Barra 380.
Type: Non-blowback CO2 BB Pistol. Manufacturer: Distributed by Crosman. Model: MK45. Materials: Mostly plastic. Weight: .63 pounds (281 grams). Total Length: 7.25 inches (184mm). Barrel: 4.5 inches (114mm) metal non-rifled. Propulsion: CO2 x 1. Action: Semi auto non-blowback, DOA trigger. AmmunitionType: .4.5mm steel BB’s. AmmunitionCapacity: 20 round drop out metal stick magazine. FPS: Claimed 480.
Trigger Pull: The Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol has a typical double action tiger with a longer trigger pull that requires more length and effort to pull, but I would say is still usable as an action shooter. The Crosman MK45 trigger pull makes the internal metal barrel move forward and out of the front of the barrel opening a bit, then when you reach the release point it snaps back into the BB Pistol acting like the hammer and releasing CO2.
Accuracy: I have yet to shoot the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol or performed my standard Field Test Shooting Video, so I can not comment at this time on the actual performance other than what is claimed in terms of fps. I have shot several similar CO2 BB Pistols which share almost the exact same internal components but have a different external skin on them. The good news is the metal stick magazines for all of these type NBB CO2 BB Pistols are the same so they will be interchangeable. My previous experiences with similar BB Pistols is that they will get mid 400fps velocities and in general will shot around a 2 inch grouping or so. It is hard to say how close the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol is going to shoot to the bullseye, as out of the box it may shoot a bit high or low or left or right. We will find out during my shooting test.
Build Quality: The Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol is a pretty much an all plastic Airgun with only a few metal parts I can find on it. The trigger is metal along with the inner barrel and the area where the CO2 goes in. Because of the plastic build, it is rather light weight which can actually be good in a fall as the mass is low resulting in less damage if you were to drop it on a hard surface. Scratches will also be less noticeable on a plastic Airgun over a metal Airgun as the material on a plastic Airgun is all tan/black rather than a painted surface that will show blemishes a lot more. The simplicity of the design means you should get a lot of use from the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol before encountering any issues.
Realism: The Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol is not a replica of an exact real steel gun in production but it does share a lot of cosmetic characteristics as what you would see on a Sig Sauer or even H&K Pistol. The magazine release on the Crosman MK45 looks and works a lot like what you will find on an H&K Pistol. There are few external mechanical working parts on the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol other than the trigger, safety and inner barrel. The barrel is slightly recessed and the CO2 tab is hidden in the grip which helps in terms of believability.
Pros:
Desert tan with black grips looks really good in my opinion.
High FPS rating of 480.
Picatinny rail on frame for adding on accessories.
Non-blowback should get lots of shots per CO2.
Easy to see fiber optic sights front and back.
CO2 tab is nicely hidden inside the grip.
Double action trigger pull is long but not too firm.
Uses a generic all metal stick magazines commonly found on lower cost BB pistols.
Ambidextrous magazine release.
Simple design with not a lot of moving parts will make it reliable for a long time.
Cons:
All moulded plastic BB gun for the most part.
Not many working parts, it’s pretty much an all plastic BB gun.
Grips are fairly loose, they don't really snap into place.
Sights are not adjustable.
Comments:
I personally prefer blowback Airguns that have a more solid weight and feel to them with more working parts, but again there is a lot more that can go wrong and parts tend to complex parts wear out over usage a lot quicker than a more simple design like in the case of the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol. Price is also going to be a lot less when looking a more simplified Air Pistol like the Crosman MK45, as the plastic build is a lot cheaper to produce. Another bonus with non-blowback CO2 airguns is that they do tend to have a much higher velocity and also generally you will also get more shots per CO2 than a similar CO2 Blowback Pistol. It really depends what features you want more and in this case you also get a more cost effective Air Pistol with plenty of shooting enjoyment. A couple other strong points to mention about the Crosman MK45 CO2 NBB BB Pistol would be the fiber optic sights front and back and its sharp l looking two tone layout.
Trigger Pull: The trigger pull on the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver like pretty much all of the 357 type Crosman Revolvers is rather nice in single action with virtually zero take-up and it has a not too light weight with a predictable feel to it. In double action it does get much longer and heavier but still very usable. If you have larger thicker finger then you may want to start off in single action as the finger opening is a bit tight.
Accuracy: I have not specifically tested out the Crosman Triple Threat so far but I would be very surprised if it was any different than the standard Crosman 357 and the Crosman Vigilante I have already done Field Test Reviews for. Other than the shape of the outer barrel, both of these guns are virtually the same including the frame and the 6 inch barrels. Back in 2012 when I tested out the Crosman 357 I averaged around 400 fps using mid grain lead pellets and was able to get a 1 to 1.5 inch multi-shot grouping at 30 feet away from my paper target. I will be making an update Field Test Shooting Video so we will see if I can replicate these results with the standard Crosman 357 and Vigilante CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver.
Build Quality: The CCrosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver is a fairly basic pistol that incorporates a variety of length plastic outer barrels and inner steel barrels (3/6/8 inches), the grips are also plastic as expected and so are the magazines and sights. Most everything else is metal including the receiver, trigger and hammer. This line of Crosman 357 pistols has been around for decades so you can expect hours of fun and reliable shooting with their multi-barrel dual ammo version.
Realism: There are for sure a lot more realistic looking Replica Revolvers out there with swing out cylinders that eject the shells just like their real steel counterparts, but where the Crosman Triple Threat shines is in performance, reliability and consistency. You will get more shots per CO2, higher fps and better accuracy with the Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Pellet and BB Revolver over other more realistic Revolvers on the market.
Pros:
Inexpensive Pellet revolver with a proven track record that goes back decades.
Good usage of metal parts where you need them most. (Metal trigger, hammer, frame, barrel, CO2 Tab screw
Single and double action trigger for action and more focused shooting.
Excellent accuracy and good power with a reasonable amount of shots per CO2 (based on similar versions).
Fully adjustable rear sight.
Riffled steel barrels (All three of them).
3 different barrel choices (3/6/8 inches) depending on the look and how compact you want it to be.
CO2 and tab are nicely hidden and use all metal.
Come with both a Pellet and BB magazines..
Cons:
Outer barrels are plastic but very solid. Metal would have added a bit more weigth perhaps better balance?
Grips and trigger pull length may be a bit long for smaller handed people when shooting in double action.
Not your most real revolver out there in terms of replicas out there but probably more usable then most.
No white dots on the sights.
Comments: The Crosman Triple Threat CO2 Dual Ammo Revolver is basically another reskinned Crosman 357 at the end of the day with a ton of options including 3 different barrel lengths that will change the look, size and power depending on your needs. You also have the choice of what ammo you want to use, cheaper 4.5mm Steel BB’s or more accurate and even higher velocity lead pellets for greater downrange energy and precision. If you are not sure which Crosman 357 type revolver to get? The standard 357… the Vigilante or the Triple Threat, maybe go with the Triple Threat at the end of today as it offers the most options and variety of configurations.
Type: BB Rifle. Manufacturer: Sig Sauer ASP Model: Sig Sauer MCX Rattler Materials: Metal and Nylon Fiber build. Weight: 4.6 Pounds (2.1 kg). Barrel: 7 inch (17.8 cm) steel non-rifled. Propulsion: Single 12 gram CO2. Action: Semi auto and 3 round burst with internal blowback (single action only trigger). AmmunitionType: 4.5mm Steel BB’s. AmmunitionCapacity: 30 rounds spring fed. Velocity: Claimed of 325 fps.
TriggerPull: The trigger pull on the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle is a single action only trigger that requires initial activation of the charging handle, after the first shot the internal blowback action will do this automatically for each followup shot. The single action only trigger is fairly short with a light pull and predictable release, great for action shooting. You also have the option of shooting in true semi auto (one trigger pull and one shot) or selecting 3 round burst mode which allows for one pull of the trigger with 3 rounds in full auto.
Accuracy: I really don’t have much feedback to give here as I have only shot a single magazine so far with the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle in a very uncontrolled format as I was not so much testing it out but rather just having some initial fun to see what it was all about. I will of course be following up this Table Top Review with a Field Test Review shortly to find out what the actual velocity is and see how accurate it is in both semi auto and 3 round burst mode.
BuildQuality: The build quality for the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle is really good considering it is mostly all plastic on the outside. It does feel solid and well built when holding it in the hand. From what I can tell the metal parts would include the barrel, the charging handle, the main controls and also much of the internal components inside both the rifle and the magazine. I would have liked to have seen a metal flash hider and perhaps the pop-up Iron sights could have also been metal.
Realism: The Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle is a 1 to 1 scale very realistic Replica of the real steel Sig Sauer Rattler normally chambered in 5.56 NATO. It would have been nice if the dust cover opened up when charging the Airgun for realism but most of the other controls work as expected, like the charging handle, selector switch, magazine release and I am not sure but maybe even the bolt release, I will know more when I make my Field Test Shooting video for the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler.
Pros:
Perfect size and weight for a fun BB semi / full auto shooter.
Fully adjustable pop up sights that are usable in both the down and up position,
Lots of accessory mounting options with the picatinny top rail and MLOCK in the sides and bottom.
Folding rear stock allows for a compact size and much easier transportation.
Ambidextrous selector switch.
Can shoot in both semi and 3 round burst modes.
Very solid AR15 type magazine that holds the 30 4.5mm steel BB’s and the single 12 gram CO2.
Reasonably priced at around $250 at the time of this video.
Sig Sauer licensing.
Cons:
Only uses a single CO2, two would have been better in a fast action shooter like this to maintain fps.
325 fps seems a bit low.
Lots of plastic but build quality does feel good.
Comments:
The Sig Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle reminds me a lot of the Umarex Steel Storm and Steel Force which are both Compact AR type Semi and Burt mode 4.5mm CO2 Blowback Airguns. Where the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle shines, is in the quality and realism as compared the Umarex counterparts. I do like that both the Umarex Steel Storm and Steel Force use dual 12 gram CO2 cartridges which I feel allows them to have more consistent velocity and performance as compared to the single CO2 in the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle. My First impressions without really testing the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler are all pretty positive but it will really come down to how well it performs and so I will put my recommendations on hold until I actually test it out!
My Table Top Review of the Sig Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Rifle:
Type: GBB Airsoft Pistol. Manufacturer: Made by EMG. Model: TTI JW4 2011 Pit Viper. Materials: Aluminum & polymer components. Weight: 2.26 pounds (1025 grams). Length: 8.5 inches (2167mm). Propulsion: CO2/Green gas. Action: Semi auto blowback, single action only trigger. AmmunitionType: 6mm plastic Airsoft BB's. AmmunitionCapacity: 28-30 round drop out full size metal magazine. FPS: Claimed 370-390.
Trigger Pull: The single action only trigger pull on the EMG TTI Pit Viper JW4 2011 GBB CO2 Airsoft Pistol is really great, there is virtually zero take-up with a light, crisp and easy release. You can double tap with ease making the EMG TTI STI 2011 Combat Master a great action pistol. One of the shortest and smoothest 1911 triggers I have tested, similar to the EMG TTI JW3 Combat Master.
Accuracy: At this point I have not shot the EMG TTI Pit Viper JW4 2011 GBB CO2 Airsoft Pistol so I have no idea what the actual real world fps is going to be and how accurate it proves itself so my comments for this part of the review will have to wait till I perform my Field Test Shooting Video coming up shortly. I do however expect it to perform very close to the EMG TTI STI 2011 Combat Master I already made a Field test Video Review for so you can check that on out in the mean time…
BuildQuality: The EMG TTI Pit Viper JW4 2011 GBB CO2 Airsoft Pistol is for the most part an all metal gun with a CNC Machined Aluminum Slide and aluminum barrel along with mostly metal parts throughout including much of the frame. Parts of the frame are polymer including the grip area and trigger guard. The fit and finish is awesome on the EMG TTI Pit Viper JW4 2011 GBB CO2 Airsoft Pistol with attention to detail everywhere.
Realism: The EMG TTI Pit Viper JW4 2011 GBB CO2 Airsoft Pistol is based off of the Pit Viper TTI, a replica of the John Wick pistol used in the John Wick 4 movie and is virtually the spitting image to it. You will find licensing and trademarks where you would find them on the real steel version. Of course all the mechanical parts work like the real version and the EMG TTI STI 2011 Combat Master can be fully field stripped allowing for quick and easy hop-up adjustments.
Pros:
Super crisp, light and short SAO trigger.
Fit and finish is excellent, very little slide wiggle.
extremely close replica of the Pit Viper 2011 pistol used in the John Wick 4 movie.
Rear sight is fully adjustable and sits very flush with the slide.
Fiber optic front sight helps with quick targets acquisition.
CNC machined Aluminum slide and barrel with polymer frame.
Flared magwell for easy quick magazine reloading.
Full size high capacity 30 round double stack metal magazine.
Ambidextrous thumb safeties.
Working grip safety as you would expect on a 1911 based gun.
Most Mechanical parts work just like a steel version and can be easily field stripped to access hop-up.
Nice snappy and fast blowback action, great for action shooting.
Licensing all over this gun true to the real steel version.
Cons:
Comes with the red tip but can be remove pretty easily.
Getting magazine but plate off is a bit tuff.
No white dot’s or fiber optics in the rear sight.
Comments:
The EMG TTI Pit Viper JW4 2011 GBB CO2 Airsoft Pistol is another great Replica of a John Wick pistol and has a less squared and smaller stature than the EMG Combat Master and a smoother overall look to it. What’s nice is that the magazines are interchangeable between the EMG TTI JW3 and JW4 versions so if you already have one then you will get additional magazine options, perhaps one in Green Gas and one in CO2. I like the slightly bulkier feel to the Combat Master but the Pit Viper is also a decent size, but again slightly more compact and less edges to get caught on your surroundings. Either way, both are awesome options if you are John Wick fan.
